USFA LODD: Baltimore City Fire Department On-Duty Death 11.12.2014

On  November 12, 2014 at 0028hrs, Baltimore City Fire Department firefighters responded to a vacant row house fire. Lieutenant James Bethea, 62, the safety officer, arrived at the scene at approximately 0043hrs.. A few minutes later, the vacant row house fire was deemed to be under control and by 0330hrs, all fire department units were recalled to fire stations or other emergencies. Around 0700hrs, a fellow officer who drove by while off-duty observed that Lieutenant Bethea's fire department SUV was still at the scene. Officials returned and found Lieutenant James Bethea's body in the basement of a vacant home next door to where the fire occurred. Investigation into the incident and cause of death continues.
     

Our condolences to the Bethea Family & Friends, the Baltimore City Fire Department, and to all affected by Lieutenant James Bethea's passing.

     

To date, 74 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.) 

Two Phoenix Firefighters Burned; Structural Fire Glendale AZ - 11.12.14

GLENDALE, AZ
Phoenix and Glendale Fire Department, with about 25 firefighters, responded to a house fire at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The two-story  vacant home is located at 6024 N. 47th Ave. West near 47th Ave. & Bethany Home Road in Glendale.

Flames coming from many parts of the house sent huge clouds of smoke into the air. Firefighting crews were seen pulling siding off of the house to gain access to the interior to gain control of the fire.

On arrival, Phoenix firefighters tackled the flames with an offensive approach, meaning crews tried to combat the fire from the inside while looking for anyone who may have been in the house.

Firefighters seemed to have contained and under controlled the blaze by 5:30 p.m.. 

Glendale Fire Chief Mark Burdick described the fire as an intense blaze that caused items being stored in and around the structure to go up in flames.

No one was inside the house, and Burdick said it was possibly a situation where the resident had been hoarding.



Two Phoenix firefighters were rushed to Maricopa Medical Center with burns suffered while battling a house blaze on Wednesday evening in Glendale, according to fire officials. 

One of the firefighters suffered first-and second-degree burns to his legs, abdomen, arms and hands. The other firefighter suffered first-and second-degree burns to his arms and hands.

The one injured firefighter was badly burned but alert and speaking to colleagues while on the way to the Phoenix trauma hospital's burn unit, said Danny Senese, a Glendale Fire Department spokesman.

"We always approach these situations knowing that there's a certain amount of danger. It's a hazardous occupation," said Ron Hart with the Glendale Fire Department. "However, that's what the community asks of us and that we will risk our own lives to save others."

The cause of the fire is not yet known. A fire investigator remains on the scene of the vacant house which burned trying to determine the cause.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.) 

Roof Collapse During Home Fire; Jacksonville Florida - 11.11.14

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department responded to reports of a house fire in the 1900 block of Phoenix Avenue about 10:30 a.m.  Tuesday morning.

It was reported that two people living in the home were able to egress out of the house  safely.

"There was heavy fire and smoke conditions," said Chief Adrian Johnson, the incident commander, "Smoke was pushed out of the building. The roof started to sag and walls were pushed out." A dozen local firefighters are safe and uninjured thanks to the quick thinking of their Fire Chief.

No one was injured due to the actions of incident commander Chief Adrian Johnson and the other district chiefs on scene, Fire Chief Martin Senterfitt said.

"This type of fire -- across the nation -- typically can be a firefighter killer," Fire Chief Martin Senterfitt said. "... Roof collapse is one of the things we fear the most."

The last firefighter left the building about 90 seconds before parts of the roof collapsed.

Firefighters were able to get the fire under control but the roof did collapse during the incident. Firefighters also had to employ defensive tactics to protect surrounding property as they could no longer go into the home and directly fight the fire.

No one was hurt in the fire or during firefighting operations.

The State Fire Marshal is investigating. 

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.) 

Smoke Detectors Helps Family Escape; House Fire Cheektowaga New York - 11.11.14

ERIE COUNTY, N.Y.
U-Crest Fire Department firefighters were called to respond and fight  a fire at 3:15 a.m. Tuesday morning, to a two-story house on 77 Leni Lane in Cheektowaga New York.

The fire was reported that it started in the bathroom ceiling and spread from there.

All five family members escaped from the house fire safely thanks to working smoke detectors inside the home that woke up all in time to egress the structure. The home fire is an example of another instance when smoke detectors saved lives. Working smoke detectors helped with an early warning that allowed all to leave their home safely.

Firefighters were able to put out the house fire and had the flames under control after about an hour after arriving on scene.

The investigation into the fire is still ongoing.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)